It's Election Day - Let's Focus on Something Else!

Oh my word - are you like me and so ready for the election to be done and over with??? Yes! I'm not sure it will be over with after tomorrow, but I hope the constant focus will shift. Let's relax, breathe in and take in the beauty around us - isn't this flower gorgeous!

Just in case you need something else to look at and read about -- I've been wanting to tell you about Maddie's photography. She took up photography a few years ago after she got a little weary of me taking her pictures! So, she's been taking some friend photos, some senior photos, engagement photos and family photos! The family ones are probably the trickiest as there are so many people to focus on, have looking at the camera and eyes open. I, myself, have irritated photographers over the years with closing my eyes when everyone else looks perfect. This was a favorite photo shoot of Maddie's during the summer with Kamree and horse Tommy! Oh my word -- aren't they so pretty together!

One of Maddie's very good friends, Mia, never takes a bad picture. That girl is so pretty and SO sweet! I wish the pandemic was over and would allow the girls to get together more. They both are going to Southeast Community College, but in different classes, so don't see each other much. The college experience with the pandemic is a bit sad if you ask me. No sock hops (I kind of doubt there were sock hops anyway), but no get-togethers like bonfires, hayrack rides, etc. It's a different time. But let's think positive and get through this together. As my son says, we can do hard things!

Taking photos is not as easy as it looks. And she works so hard at editing and making the photos and the people in them look so good. She's also enjoyed taking photos of blooming trees and flowers. At first, she pooh-poohed my suggestion at flowers, but then later decided she liked those too. And flowers are not required to smile or keep eyes open! Anywho, I wanted to show you a few she's taken this year. My good friend's daughter was in town from Denver and asked Maddie to do some engagement photos! It was a very hot day, but they turned out sooooooo good. Best wishes to the happy couple who rescheduled their wedding from June 2020 to June 2021. Isn't she so beautiful! He looks good too, of course, but she is stunning!

Part 2 -- The Photographer

Part 2 and some more senior photos -

bear with me please and/or jump to some other

blog if you like!

One of Maddie's pastimes this past summer was working

on honing her photography skills.

In order to improve her people photo-taking 

[she already had worked extensively on dog and bandana photos], 

she recruited friends and volunteered to do photo shoots for them!

As everyone knows, a girl can never have too many new photos 

for social media accounts, right!

She had a load of fun, improved her 

photography and her editing skills!

So, when Meg asked her what props she'd like to

bring for senior photos, she grabbed her camera!

Some weekends Mads was booked both Fridays and

Saturdays and Sundays!  At least 3 or 4 girls used photos Maddie took

for their senior yearbook photos.

She took one girl's senior photos for her - spending

3+ hours doing photos in 3 different locations all over Lincoln!

Then she spent another 3+ hours editing and sending 

the photos out!

It was a fun time for her and she really enjoyed it!

I was her assistant -- somebody needs to

hold gear and the light reflector thingy.

Since it's getting cold and dark out earlier now, there are

not too many photo shoots scheduled.

However, she hopes to keep improving and may have it as a part-time gig

in the future.

Smile pretty for the camera now!

 

Summer Wrap-Up

Since summer activities are winding down 

with the opening of school books, 

here's some of what Maddie did during the summer.

She completed all of her senior service hours!

Pius X (Maddie's school) requires seniors to perform 36 hours of

volunteer service work at school and/or in the community.

While 36 hours may not sound like a lot, when you're 

only getting a couple hours here and there, it takes a while to get to 36!

Maddie did all of her hours working in the Pius uniform shop!

It takes a lot of unpacking and organization to sort and have polos, shorts,

shirts, pants and sweatshirts ready to sell and package up for over 1,200 students!

After working mornings Mondays through Thursdays at the

uniform store, she spent Friday mornings playing and reading

with the Littles!  They had so much fun together and

it was great for her to spend time with them

and to give Philip and Catherine an extra pair 

of hands!

She also got some fabulous photos of the kids!

They are growing up fast!

Jane - 9 years old (4th grade)

Walt - 8 years old (3rd grade)

Harry - 6 years old (kindergarten)

Dorothy - 3 years old (preschool)

and

Gloria - 5 months old 

Aren't they just adorable! 

 Maddie had so 

much fun with them during the summer!

Photography Final and Last Day of Junior Year . . .

Today is Maddie's last final of her

junior year of high school!!!

On to senior year! 

Woot Woot!

I'm sure some ice cream and probably brownie

deliciousness will be had today

or maybe a Mickey Ice Cream Bar!?!

Recently, for her photography final, Maddie

had to prepare a 10-photo portfolio

of a subject of her choosing.

She chose food items!

Let me say first, this photography

course has been challenging in more

ways than one as most of the assignments

were either outside or better results from outdoor photos!

And we had the worst winter on record and

a very, very thundery and rainy spring.
She was constantly running outside with her camera to try and catch
the best light for a photo.

Anyway, one of the photos she submitted was a bowl of neapolitan ice cream!

I just love it!

It reminds me of my Dad who used to always buy neapolitan ice cream as he figured

there was something there for everyone.

However, he later came to realize that

the chocolate portion went first, the strawberry next and the vanilla last! 

He thought we all would scoop across and have a little of each! 
So wrong!

I remember him laughing so hard when he realized what was happening!

Dear Al - we miss you so!

And we gobbled up the ice cream in the correct order -
chocolate, strawberry and vanilla last again!

Photographer in Training!

One of Maddy's favorite things to do over the summer

was to take our Scottie, Muffy, out for photos!

Maddy was determined to build up Muffy's Instagram account and

had a goal to obtain a certain number of followers

She met and exceeded her goal.

Muffy now has over 7,000 followers!! 

Dogs are very popular on IG!

We love following all the Doodle pages!

 Maddy spent a good part of every day this past summer

with her hand-me-down camera capturing the essence

of a Scottish terrier who did not always appreciate

having her photo taken.

Bonus -- that Instagram "fun" goal has turned into a real

interest for her.  She has applied to be the

photographer for choir at school this year.

Even if she doesn't get it, she is looking forward to 

taking some photography courses in high school.

The other bonus of Muffy's popularity on IG, Muffy has

won a few contests!

So far, her prizes have been a new bandana and

a new collar. 

 Muffy is thrilled with both!  :)

And I was able to sneak in a few photos of my high schooler

recently too!

Resolutions And Such

Of course, I have some of the same resolutions Every. Single. Year! You know the drill . . . exercise more, eat less chocolate (what?? that is not right - I cannot give up chocolate!), declutter, eat less fast food, cook more, be a nicer, better person-wife-mother, employee, etc. Sound familiar?

Ok, this year, I'm adding a few more to the list. At the top of my list for now is to figure out Photoshop. I've tried on my own a bit, but have had no luck at all -- it is so confusing -at least to me, it is! So, I'm signing up for a Photoshop class at our local community college -- can't wait to figure it all out. And, I'm going to try and take more photos of objects or scenery or people besides Miss M. Of course, she is my favorite subject, but she does tire of me pulling out the camera and pointing it at her, so am going to try some other subjects. Am also thinking of signing up for an on-line course or two -- I did one a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, even though the teacher seemed to bow out entirely after 2 or 3 lessons. But, I need to stop using my point and shoot so much and go back and work with my DSLR more. It takes great photos -- just need to give myself a little primer on it and get back at it! Here's a photo I took on a cloudy day outside. I kind of like the reflections on the table.

So, 2009 -- it's gonna be a great year, I can tell!! And this sounds crazy I know, but don't you just love an odd-numbered year?? Especially one with a nine in it -- one of my favorite numbers, for some odd reason! :)